New Practices New York 2018

In these uncertain political, societal, economic, and cultural times, architecture can often feel secondary, relegated to the margins, or perhaps even the superfluous. Changing paradigms compound the already difficult terrain new practices in NYC must navigate. And yet, unstable circumstances offer an incredible opportunity to liberate architectural practice, challenge given assumptions, rethink established strategies, and develop new frameworks and ideas for the future.

For this year’s New Practices New York competition, we are looking for firms that choose not to remain on the margins but rather actively and constructively engage their city, their society, and their context. We seek firms that offer new modes of thinking, create opportunities for thoughtful architecture, and take agency as designers in NYC. How are you shaping your practice to have consequence? How is your practice shaping and transforming the built environment and its future? How does your work resonate beyond the boundaries of the profession? How do you choose to define your role and in what context?

We are calling for portfolios that contain design ideas, implemented or not, and leverage the capacity of architectural practice to offer transformative value within the broader context of the city.

About
New Practices New York, a biennial competition since 2006, serves as the preeminent platform to recognize and promote new and innovative architecture and design firms in NYC. Sponsored by the AIANY New Practices Committee, this juried portfolio competition honors architects that utilize unique and innovative strategies, both in the projects they undertake and the practices they have established.

Submission Process
This competition brief asks firms to submit one (1) landscape-oriented, 11”x17”, 10-page PDF portfolio (6MB maximum) and one (1) high-res, press-ready image. PDFs that do not conform to this format will be disqualified. All entries will be reviewed by a jury via digital projection. The PDF should also include a practice narrative (500 words maximum) that should be directed towards answering the following questions:

Critical Practice
How does your practice engage critically in the environmental, social, and technological conditions of our contemporary culture? How is your practice informed by the local and global context?

Methods of Practice
How do you as design professionals work together in new, different, and/or more supportive ways than traditional practices? How have concepts of collaboration and integration influenced the structure of your practice and the type of work it undertakes?
Engagement of Practice
What are the key issues that you address and advocate for as a practice? How do you choose to communicate and engage the agenda of your practice to a broader audience and public?

Media Partner:Dezeen is the world’s most popular and influential architecture and design magazine, with an audience of 2.5 million unique visitors each month. Every day, Dezeen’s award-winning editorial team publishes a curated selection of the best international architecture, interiors and design projects plus breaking news, incisive features and compelling original video content. With offices in London and New York, Dezeen also runs Dezeen Jobs, the world’s most vibrant architecture and design jobs board.

––Participation in an exhibition at the Center for Architecture to open April 12, 2018
––A stipend towards the exhibition installation
––A free one-year membership to AIA New York
––Participation in a symposium to discuss their practice at the Center for Architecture

Eligibility Requirements

––New practices are defined as architecture and design firms founded after January 1, 2008
––The competition is open to all architects and designers, registered and non-registered
––Firm’s main office must be located within the five boroughs of NYC, including those that work internationally
––All work for built projects must credit the architect of record for the project on the individual portfolio page
––Theoretical and unbuilt work is welcome and encouraged

Entrants must also include a signed image release form and a copy of “Certificate of Firm Incorporation” or a signed certification that practice was founded after January 1, 2008.

Credits
When applicable, the architect or firm of record, associate architects, project team, consultants, client, and general contractor must be credited. Failure to do so may lead to disqualification.